Can I get fired for being addicted to crystal meth? Canada

[brenl]

Hey Just a few questions here, any insights would be greatly appreciated.

So I work as a cook in a restaurant in Canada, and my employer suspects that I use crystal meth. He does not think I am addicted though.
Is this ok for him to do: He went around and asked almost everyone if they knew if I used, and asked them to pry me for information.
This is stupid.. I'm friends with most everyone I work with, now he's got them trying to catch me in the act? The thing is my real good friends already know and a few others asked me and I said yes sometimes. They told me he was getting them to ask me.
This has been going on only for two days now, the first day (yesterday) no one asked me, but I knew from a friend that I was "under watch" by management.
The second day (today) my boss worked in the kitchen with us due to someone being sick. He knows I like to partake in a little marijuana smoking here and there and he tapped my one pocket to see if he could feel/hear a bag. He also did this to another employee, because there is rumours around that we smoked weed at work.(Untrue, so obiously no proof. I never have weed and barely smoke it). He suspected we were out blazing weed tonight because we felt like fucking with him for being a prick and giving hints that we were going to, but never saying anything about weed just little hints like me asking to smoke in his car n stuff.
Tomorrow is my day off but I think I'm just going to call him and tell him I use. I already told his little "investigators" anyways, and then maybe he'd lay off. I'm a great employee, always punctual, work hard, always come in for other peoples shifts, and liked by everyone (front of house and back of house). I know for a fact he won't fire me.
I love honesty and I stand by it greatly.. If he would have just confronted me personally in the first place I probably would have told him. Thats why I just want to tell him yes I use, instead of these childish games he's playing.
I never use while I'm at work and he has no solid proof of anything.

This is making me increasingly angry... And I don't want to get fired for knocking him out the next time he cups a feel (could be sexual harrasment I know but I don't want to charge unless fired or something). What should I do? What can I do? What are my rights as a citizen according to labour board? Am I allowed to use illicit drugs in the privacy of my own home on days off?

 

[Cyc]

Well, no you're not allowed to use illicit drugs at all.

Can your employer fire you because they suspect you of using? That's a tough question. There's a difference between using in your free time, and being high at work. If they see visible signs of intoxication, then they are within their rights to send you home. Ultimately, they can dismiss you for any reason at all, and at that point, the burden would be on you to file a complaint with the labour board, and have them review your claim. This could take months, but may result in a settlement, which includes back-payment. It also may result in you getting the run-around by a case worker who doesn't feel like cooperating with you.

People are fired all the time for all sorts of reasons.

You want my advice? Keep your mouth shut about your drug use. You live in a liberal Country where piss tests are almost never conducted, even for government work. Let's keep it that way.

 

[brenl]

Yeah ok thanks. I never called him today. If he asks me should I deny it, say "yeah ive done it a few times" or come clean? I dont know if he'll have the balls to confront me. I hate that everyones watching me though. Its like if you have a problem with me come and talk to me... Im not gonna freak out. I think if he does ask I'll admit i've done once or twice it cause I think he already knows. But thats it. I hate lying... when you get caught you look like a tard. Piss tests btw are done regularily for oil-rig jobs. Almost every one of them does it. But ya thats bout it. Thanks again.


P.S. My GM/Part owner has sent people away to AADAC before he fires them in the past. He's a very nice guy, personal, and loves to give second, and third chances. The dweeb mentioned before is our kitchen manager (that usually works out-front). Not a big fan of him.

 

[Cyc]

I don't know what your workplace is like, but why don't you just do your job and keep the personal shit to yourself?

You risk getting burned by opening your mouth to anyone. If you're not getting high at work, it's nobody's business but your own.

I'm not saying you should be ashamed, and it's great that you're owning your decisions, but other people are gonna judge whether you like it or not. Let them see you for who you are, not some drug you do. Keep it to yourself.

Just my advice. Ultimately it's your call.

 

[brenl]

Thanks. Thats what I'm doing. You're right.

 

[Jert]

The point is kind of moot, isn't it? It's not like you'll be able to keep any job that long if you are meth head.

 

[Nexus Viper]

Am I allowed to use illicit drugs in the privacy of my own home on days off?

The key word is "illicit", buddy.

 

[brenl]

The point is kind of moot, isn't it? It's not like you'll be able to keep any job that long if you are meth head.

Why can't I keep a job for too long as a meth head? It's more like I can't be a meth head if I don't have a job. I've had this job for 3 years, one before that for 2 and the job enables me to keep smoking meth. If I got fired I couldnt be using the drug because I'd have no money.

So if you're an addict it also means you can't function? That's b.s... I work 40 hours a week, plus college. I am only in one class this semester and next semester, but its because its the way I'm choosing to do it this year, and probably part of the reason I'm an A+ student.

By the way, me and the kitchen manager talked for a bit and everything is golden again. Never told him I did drugs, never told him I didn't, we just talked and he's leaving me alone.

In no way am I promoting my use... but you're way too quick to judge and put me into a stereotype. I sleep every night and eat plenty every day. I'm loved at my job, at school and at home, I'm dependable, trustworthy and I'm not in debt. Hell I'd say I'm even pretty close a real human being!

 

[brenl]

The key word is "illicit", buddy.

Haha yeah I know, that sounded retarded... But according to labour board people addicted to drugs and or alcohol are considered disabled. But thats probably more along the lines of not using, but still addicted.

I was more trying to ask if my employer can fire me for things I do at home.

 

[Jerry Atrick]

I was more trying to ask if my employer can fire me for things I do at home.

I don't know how things work where you live, but in the US in certain states an employer can fire you for anything. They can fire you without giving you a reason.

If you use meth at home, go to work, and get injured or injure someone, they may be able to require that you take a drug test. If it shows up dirty guess what? You're fired.

 

[xenocatblack]

Well if you're using at work most employers would treat this as 'Gross Misconduct' and fire you there and then (tho you have the right to appeal).

Outside of work it is none of their business.

Best thing - keep it quite !

 

[xenocatblack]

People can suspect. But unless you are blatantly 'off your head' then that will be an issue with Human Resources to prove it.

Depends on your company policy. Read it.

 

[brenl]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions everyone. Yeah, it blew over for sure because they've got their eyes on another cook, looking to fire him for practically anything. Just cause we don't like him haha My managers just have to have someone to shit on all the time. I got everything all sorted out.
Our kitchen is really clicky; if you don't fit in you're fired. Yet I'm still employed and although I'm not usually high at work, I am some of the time. Funny how things work out.

 

[Mehm]

In the USA your employer has the right to drug test and fire over a positive result IIRC

 

[XbookstoreX]

I don't know what your workplace is like, but why don't you just do your job and keep the personal shit to yourself?

You risk getting burned by opening your mouth to anyone. If you're not getting high at work, it's nobody's business but your own.

I'm not saying you should be ashamed, and it's great that you're owning your decisions, but other people are gonna judge whether you like it or not. Let them see you for who you are, not some drug you do. Keep it to yourself.

Just my advice. Ultimately it's your call.

QFT. well said.
People talk. A LOT.
Especially in restaurant environment, there's always shit-talking.
My imaginary friend lived with her boyfriend a year and never told him about any of that. So having to tell it to your work buddies, then getting mad that people are asking questions? Cmon. You're kinda askin for it.

 

[Jert]

Why can't I keep a job for too long as a meth head? It's more like I can't be a meth head if I don't have a job. I've had this job for 3 years, one before that for 2 and the job enables me to keep smoking meth. If I got fired I couldnt be using the drug because I'd have no money.

So if you're an addict it also means you can't function? That's b.s... I work 40 hours a week, plus college. I am only in one class this semester and next semester, but its because its the way I'm choosing to do it this year, and probably part of the reason I'm an A+ student.

By the way, me and the kitchen manager talked for a bit and everything is golden again. Never told him I did drugs, never told him I didn't, we just talked and he's leaving me alone.

In no way am I promoting my use... but you're way too quick to judge and put me into a stereotype. I sleep every night and eat plenty every day. I'm loved at my job, at school and at home, I'm dependable, trustworthy and I'm not in debt. Hell I'd say I'm even pretty close a real human being!

Alright dude sorry then, pls forgive.
I personally have never met anyone who uses that drug and is able to have a functional life . If you can, good for you I guess. I think you are deluding yourself that it is a habit that won't eventually cause great disaster in your life , but I could just be biased as I've personally known people who have done just that with it. In my mind its just not a recreational drug. Sry if I sound preachy... just never seen the appeal of it myself...

 

[webbykevin]

Alright dude sorry then, pls forgive.
I personally have never met anyone who uses that drug and is able to have a functional life

Maybe you need to meet more people, I worked with a guy that was a builder/tradesman, he worked 16 hours a day 7 days a week and he worked bloody hard too, his work was top quality and he was proud of it.

He used 2 or 3 times a week, but i never ever saw it affect the quality of his work.

And this went on for 5 years, and he could still work me under the table at the end of it, even though I wasn't using and was the fittest and healthiest i had ever been at the time.